Iceland, the recognised leader in frozen food in the UK, has signed a new three-year commercial agreement with CHEP, leading provider of pallet and container pooling solutions, in the UK that will deliver significant supply chain efficiencies in both its UK and international operations.
Central to the deal will be CHEP’s supply of around 100,000 of its industry standard B1210A pallets (1200x1000mm) per year to support Iceland’s container devanning operation at its 4 main distribution centre facilities located at Livingston (West Lothian, Scotland), Enfield (North London), Swindon (Wiltshire) and Warrington (Cheshire) as well as its international business.
The strength of the existing relationship with CHEP is an important factor underpinning the new agreement, acknowledged by Iceland’s Contracts & Commercial Manager, Dave Rowlands: “CHEP understands both our business model and our supply chain very well. We’re delighted to cement our relationship for another three years, and look forward to exploring other initiatives that will help improve the efficiency of our supply chain.”
Iceland will be leveraging CHEP’s expertise to continue strong asset controls at its distribution sites. In addition, Iceland will continue to allow CHEP’s supply chain experts access to these sites to support its asset management initiatives at a local level.
Further strategic opportunities to work together are expected to arise over the course of the new agreement, with Iceland keen to adopt the use of CHEP’s innovative display pallets. Other potential opportunities for Iceland to improve its supply chain efficiencies include CHEP’s innovative transport collaboration programme which encourages manufacturers, retailers and logistics service providers (LSPs) alike to work together to reduce the empty running of vehicles by identifying potential transport legs that can be reduced or removed completely.
Commenting on the new agreement, CHEP UK & Ireland, Managing Director, Rod Francis said: “I’m delighted that we can extend our strategic relationship with Iceland in this way. The initiatives that we’ve already delivered, and the new areas we’re exploring have the potential to deliver significant benefits to Iceland. I’m looking forward to seeing how these develop during the term of the agreement, and to seek further opportunities to collaborate for our mutual benefit.”
About CHEP
CHEP is a global provider of supply chain solutions serving the consumer goods, fresh food, beverage, manufacturing and retail sectors in more than 60 countries. CHEP offers a wide range of logistics and operational platforms and support services that are designed to increase performance and lower risk while improving environmental sustainability. CHEP’s 11,500-plus employees and more than 275 million pallets and containers deliver comprehensive coverage and exceptional value, supporting more than 500,000 customer touch-points for global brands such as Procter & Gamble, Sysco, and Nestlé. CHEP is part of the Brambles Group, the operator of a portfolio that includes IFCO, the leading provider of Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) to the fresh food supply chain globally, as well as specialist container solutions providers to the automotive, aerospace and oil and gas sectors. For more information, visit chep.com.
About Iceland
Iceland is recognised as the leader in frozen food with over 850 stores in the UK. The company prides itself on being a convenient and friendly place to do the family’s weekly shop, as well as to meet everyone’s daily top-up shopping needs for fresh, chilled and frozen food and groceries. Iceland has a 45-year track record of demonstrating to shoppers just how the Power of Frozen can deliver an extensive choice of high quality, great-tasting food from fine sources around the world at great value prices. The company is known as a pioneer in the removal of artificial colours, flavours and non-essential preservatives from its products, and for being the first to market with nationwide online ordering. Iceland has been in the top ten of The Sunday Times Best Big Companies to Work for every year since 2010, being placed first in 2012 and 2014.
For further information, please contact:
Paloma Soriano
Manager External Communications EMEA
Telephone: +34 915579402
Email: paloma.soriano@chep.com
Or
Michael Potts,
Marketing Manager, CHEP UK & Ireland,
Telephone: (07770) 647498
Email: michael.potts@chep.com
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